The Candystripes have been knocked out of the FAI Cup and Declan Devine says that his players must now "push on" in the league and secure European football

Derry City manager Declan Devine has said that his players must improve after witnessing his side crash out of the FAI Cup.

A solitary goal from Raffaele Cretaro condemned the Candystripes to a narrow 1-0 defeat against Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds on Sunday, sending the Candystripes out of the competition.

After their elimination, Devine has urged his players to "push on" in the league in order clinch European football.

Derry currently sit fourth in the Airtricity Premier Division and find themselves eight points behind third-placed Sligo Rovers with a game in hand and Devine said that his players are playing "for their futures at the club."

"There are plenty of points up for grabs - we can push on," Devine told the BBC. "The main aim now is to qualify for Europe.

"The players are playing for contracts and their futures at the club. They need to continue to show desire and hunger."

After a bright start to the season, the Candystripes have lost four of their last five league games, with their last victory coming against UCD on August 9.

Their next game sees them take on Bray Wanderers at the Brandywell on Friday September 20. Kick off 19:45 BST.